Question Period Note: Samuel-de Champlain Bridge in Montreal

• My Department is committed to the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
• We asked the proponent to temporarily stop work related to dismantling the west jetty under the bridge, as a preventative measure, and to verify the extent of the issue related to suspended sediments in the water column.
• We will continue to work with the proponent to resolve the issue.

• On November 20, 2020, fishery officers from DFO’s Conservation and Protection Program ordered work be stopped on the Samuel-de Champlain Bridge, as it relates to the dismantling of the west jetty. DFO had received reports that for the last few days, a lot of sediment had been discharged into the river and that this work was not in compliance with the Fisheries Act. The work was halted as a preventative measure, and to allow time to consult with experts from the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program, who have already been in contact with the proponent about this situation.
• This situation has attracted limited media attention. DFO’s communications team has prepared media lines and responded reactively to media requests.
• In addition to undertaking analysis of the private partner’s monitoring data, frequent site visits are conducted by DFO. The main purpose is to ensure compliance with the conditions in the authorizations, during key stages of the project. Visits began at the start of construction in June 2015 and will continue for the duration of the project. DFO also carries out follow-up visits for offsetting projects under the responsibility of Infrastructure Canada (INFC) and the private partner.
• While authorizations have been issued to the private partner, INFC is responsible for completing most of the offsetting. In total, authorizations issued by DFO refer to five distinct offsetting projects, completed by both the private partner and INFC.
• Impacts to fish and fish habitat are associated with permanent structures of the new bridge as well as the presence of temporary structures for a period of more than five years. The authorization corresponds to the destruction of 7,479 m2 and the permanent modification of 127,288 m2 of fish habitat. The area is used as breeding, nursery and feeding habitats for several species present in the St. Lawrence, particularly walleye, lake sturgeon, smallmouth bass, northern pike and several species of cyprinids.
• On April 15, 2015, the Government of Canada identified Signature on the St. Lawrence as the private partner that will be responsible for the construction of the new bridge. DFO issued the private partner two authorizations pursuant to section 35(2)(b) of the Fisheries Act. DFO also issued letters of advice for components related to the project that were added during construction.
• The project consists of building a new bridge over the St. Lawrence, between Montreal and Brossard to replace the old Champlain Bridge. The project also includes the construction of another smaller bridge and sections of highways. Work began on June 16, 2015, and the bridge has been open to traffic in both directions since July 1, 2019. A federal environmental assessment (EA), coordinated by INFC, was completed in August 2013. An update to the EA regarding the effects of temporary water structures was carried out in April 2015.

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